14 Jun 2022

Botswana Institute of Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Offenders (BIRRO) has halted further intakes to make way for ongoing investigations and reflect on how best it can execute its services.

 In an interview during the graduation ceremony in Gaborone on Saturday, BIRRO founder and director, Mr Mothei Sejakgomo said the investigation follows an incident that involved the passing of a person who was enrolled with the organisation a few months back.

He, however, mentioned that upon completion of the investigation they would proceed with their noble course.

Mr Sejakgomo thanked all who continued to give the organisation support in its endeavour to rehabilitate society members.

The graduation, attended by family members and key stakeholders in the rehabilitation space, was held in honour of ex-offenders, drug addicts and those considered outcasts in the society.  

Mr Sejakgomo said this  particular cohort graduated 20 individuals who went through a three months boot camp.

He said since 2012 BIRRO assisted about 300 individuals comprising 15 women and 285 boys.Notably, he mentioned that their services at BIRRO were rendered to peopl aged 15 to 50, adding that majority of their clients graduate to find a meaningful life in the society.

He mentioned that their follow-ups on previous graduates proved that quite a number of them were either employed by Botswana Police Service or Botswana Defence Force, while others went into entrepreneurship. BIRRO is a non-profit organisation established by ex-convicts, with a core mandate of doing humanitarian work or community service targeted at reducing crime rate and recidivism in Botswana.

The mandate, according to Mr Sejakgomo, was achieved by sensitising the community through kgotla meetings, schools and the media about prevailing criminal trends and how fellow Batswana could protect themselves and their properties from vandalism.

“We do all this by partnering with key stakeholders being churches and human rights activists. 

Also, we get support from community members who often pledge food hampers and toiletries to support their loved ones while away on boot camps,” he said.

Mr Sejakgomo urged parents and the society to support graduates in finding meaningful lives back in the community to avoid relapses. ENDS